Global operator strategies - 7/12/05

NTL (UK) confirmed a $1.6bn bid on Virgin Mobile. The goal is to be able to offer quadruple play services to its customers. Virgin Mobile is a MVNO in the UK. The combined group would have access to around 2.5m broadband internet customers, 4.3m fixed line customers, 5m mobile customers and revenues of about €6bn.

Swisscom (Switzerland) needs to build a new strategy after the Swiss government forbids Swisscom to look for abroad expansion. Swisscom had to cancel talks with Eircom and stop bidding for TDC (Denmark).

European Union justice and local governments agreed on the storage of phone call and e-mail information for 6 to 24 months in the fight against terror and organized crime.

China will impose real-name system for mobile users. More than 100m mobile phone users in the country, will have to register their ID after the system becomes effective.

Colombia Telecom would be privatized in 1H06. Telmex and Telefonica have been identified by the government as possible bidders. Telecom Italia isn't interested in bidding.

Microsoft and Time Warner are nearing deal to build online advertising service to compete with Google. It is not yet sure AOL is included in this deal.